{"id":85973,"date":"2026-05-13T13:33:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T03:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=85973"},"modified":"2026-05-13T13:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T03:34:12","slug":"2026-nrl-magic-round-tips-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/05\/2026-nrl-magic-round-tips-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NRL Magic Round Tips & Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oscar Pannifex dives deep into all nine games ahead of the NRL’s annual Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium, starting with Game 2 of the Women’s Origin, and Saturday’s 3rd vs 7th clash between the Roosters and Cowboys!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Queensland<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
New South Wales<\/div>\n
Thursday 14th May 2026 7:45 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: New South Wales Blues 1-12, Yasmin Meakes try, Isabelle Kelly try, Julia Robinson try, Rory Owen try <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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NSW profile well to repeat what worked for them in Game I here; carry the ball out of the backfield cleanly, roll the ruck in yardage and set up shop on QLD\u2019s line. There was some rust in this Blues attack last time out but assuming improvements here, I like Jesse Southwell to get over the\u00a0adline\u00a0and create some looks down NSW\u2019s left edge.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

QLD will\u00a0likely look\u00a0to do something similar through Lauren Brown and Tamika Upton. There are some unfamiliar combinations for the Maroons to target on NSW\u2019s right edge and if they play it right, Upton, Rory Owen or Julia Robinson can feature in a Maroons upset.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That in mind though, I\u2019m backing the Blues to wrap it up in two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n QLD vs NSW<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Cronulla Sharks<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Canterbury Bulldogs<\/div>\n
Friday 15th May 2026 6:00 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1-12, Bronson Xerri try <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Cronulla\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0show up against Souths last week, beaten in the physical battle through the middle before folding on the edges. The Sharks right edge in particular remains an issue for Craig\u00a0Fitzgibbon\u00a0and we\u2019d be foolish to expect Canterbury to look anywhere else here.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The question for the Bulldogs is whether their struggling attack can\u00a0execute on\u00a0the looks they earn. Matt Burton returns this week and needs to offer more down that left edge while Lachlan Galvin plays the middle.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Sharks vs Bulldogs<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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South Sydney Rabbitohs<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Dolphins<\/div>\n
Friday 15th May 2026 8:05 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: South Sydney Rabbitohs win, Tallis Duncan try, Campbell Graham try <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Redcliffe have played themselves into form\u00a0and it\u2019s\u00a0coincided with the return of Max Plath, Jeremy Marshall-King\u00a0and Kurt Donoghue through the middle of the field. The Dolphins have strike in all\u00a0positions\u00a0but\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0their role-playing workers that typically have the greatest influence on a result.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Souths have embraced this philosophy better than most in a 6-and-3 start to the year. They know\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0got points in\u00a0them\u00a0but the best version of this Rabbitohs side relishes the dirty work that comes before any highlight reel moment.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Rabbitohs vs Dolphins<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Wests Tigers<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Manly Sea Eagles<\/div>\n
Saturday 16th May 2026 3:00 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles win, Ben Trbojevic try, Clayton Faulolo try <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The\u00a0FozBall\u00a0movement continues to gather momentum as this Manly side plays a confident and complementary brand of football.\u00a0They\u2019ve\u00a0struck up a nice balance in recent weeks between crashing the middle and hitting the edges where their speed men are having a field day against retreating defenders.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wests\u00a0impressed\u00a0to stop the rot against Melbourne last week and actually\u00a0win\u00a0the last 60 minutes of the game. With so many players out, we can expect the Tigers to look\u00a0clunky\u00a0but their effort areas have\u00a0remained\u00a0consistent in a vote of confidence for Benji Marshall. This might be another stretch too far though.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Tigers vs Sea Eagles<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Sydney Roosters<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
North Queensland Cowboys<\/div>\n
Saturday 16th May 2026 5:30 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: Sydney Roosters 13+ , James Tedesco try, Hugo Savalo try <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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An ankle injury to Tom Dearden threatens to disrupt\u00a0the Cowboys (and Maroons) 2026 campaign. He plays a crucial role in straightening the attack for Scott Drinkwater to\u00a0ballplay\u00a0on the edges in clubland while Jake Clifford has been free to pick his moments from a locked left edge.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While North Queensland adjust without their star halfback, Easts get another chance to work through the gears and rev the engine. James Tedesco, Sam Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans\u00a0and Reece Robson are all in the Origin spotlight this\u00a0week\u00a0and\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0expecting all four to rise to the occasion.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Roosters vs Cowboys<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Parramatta Eels<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Melbourne Storm<\/div>\n
Saturday 16th May 2026 7:45 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: Parramatta Eels (+6.5) line, Brian Kelly try\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Melbourne broke the streak last week with a lightning\u00a020 minute\u00a0period right from kickoff. They banked enough early points against Wests to scrap their way through to\u00a0fulltime\u00a0but there are still some kinks for Craig Bellamy to iron out, particularly through the middle once fatigue sets in.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Parramatta\u00a0handle\u00a0the emotional comedown of a Golden Point win last week remains to be seen, but I like them to keep this close. Short side\u00a0defence\u00a0has been an issue for the Storm so far this year and Mitch Moses is the best half in the game at taking those looks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Eels vs Storm<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Gold Coast Titans<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Newcastle Knights<\/div>\n
Sunday 17th May 2026 2:00 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: Newcastle Knights win, Dylan Brown try, AJ Brimson try <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Newcastle are winning people over with an exciting, attacking brand of\u00a0footy\u00a0but the beauty of this Knights team is in its repeatability. A running spine and destructive backline are enjoying plenty of looks behind a hard-working, mobile forward pack that is doing all the\u00a0little things\u00a0at a high click. From there, Newcastle\u2019s star trio are creating or taking half chances and turning them into points a few tackles later.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Josh Hannay, the Gold Coast\u2019s inconsistencies\u00a0remain\u00a0a concern. There were some promising signs around Zane Harrison last week and how he might unlock Jayden Campbell in attack, but\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0still a work in progress for this young Titans spine.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Titans vs Knights<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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New Zealand Warriors<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Brisbane Broncos<\/div>\n
Sunday 17th May 2026 4:05 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: New Zealand Warriors win, Leka Halasima try, Ali Leiataua try <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Two premiership heavyweights navigating two\u00a0very different\u00a0starts to the regular season.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brisbane showed their quality to bank consecutive wins without a host of\u00a0stars\u00a0but the fatigue has caught up to them in recent weeks. New Zealand on the other hand\u00a0are\u00a0reaping the rewards of a very deep and healthy squad right now; so much so that Luke Metcalf is\u00a0reportedly on\u00a0the outer.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Assuming that\u00a0news\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0disrupt Andrew Webster\u2019s prep this week, I like the Wahs to win the ruck fresh off the bye. If they do, Wayde Egan can stress middle defenders and create space for his fellow spine players on the edges.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Warriors vs Broncos<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Penrith Panthers<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
St George Illawarra Dragons<\/div>\n
Sunday 17th May 2026 6:25 PM (Suncorp Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tips: Penrith Panthers win, Paul Alamoti try, Casey McLean try, Tom Jenkins 2+ <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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St George-Illawarra had a chance to make a statement off the bye last week but\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0take it. Their edges are still the most vulnerable in the competition right now,\u00a0largely due to\u00a0the ease at which the Dragons ruck is folding under pressure.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0plenty of positives around the Couchman brothers, Hamish\u00a0Stewart\u00a0and Dylan Egan but they\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0pay dividends for a while yet\u2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Penrith\u00a0appear\u00a0to be\u00a0trialling\u00a0a different attacking system through Nathan Cleary right now and this feels like a chance to iron out the kinks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Panthers vs Dragons<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Oscar Pannifex dives deep into all nine games ahead of the NRL’s annual Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium, starting with Game 2 of the Women’s Origin, and Saturday’s 3rd vs 7th clash between the Roosters and Cowboys! Queensland vs New South Wales Thursday 14th May 2026 7:45 PM (Suncorp Stadium) Tips: New South Wales Blues 1-12, Yasmin Meakes try, Isabelle Kelly try, Julia Robinson try, Rory Owen try NSW profile well to repeat what worked for them in Game I here; carry the ball out of the backfield cleanly, roll the ruck in yardage and set up shop on QLD\u2019s…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":85974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-85973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugby-league"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"13\/05\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85973"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85976,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85973\/revisions\/85976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85973"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=85973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}